AIDS Memorial Grove

The mission of the National AIDS Memorial is to provide, in perpetuity, a place of remembrance so that the lives of people who died from AIDS are not forgotten and the story is known by future generations.

The National AIDS Memorial was conceived by a small group of San Franciscans devastated by the AIDS crisis. They selected the 10 acre de Laveaga Dell in Golden Gate Park, a long derelict site. In September 1991, hundreds of volunteers gathered for the very first volunteer workday, and over the next few years, completely transformed it. In 1996, through legislation signed by President Bill Clinton, it was federally-designated a national memorial.

The history and lessons of AIDS are at the core of all of our programs. We seek to ensure that future generations never forget and continue to learn from and work toward an end to this disease that has impacted millions of lives around the world. In addition to the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship, our programs include 1) Community Volunteer Workdays (over 1,700 volunteers provide the 4,500 hours of annual labor necessary to maintain the site); 2) World AIDS Day National Observance (the annual World AIDS Day National Observance is held every 1st of December at the site, serving to keep HIV/AIDS in the forefront of the national consciousness by remembering those who have died; honoring leaders in the fight against AIDS; raising awareness about the state of the epidemic/its ongoing impact); and 3) the National AIDS Memorial Story Project (ensuring that the story and lessons of AIDS is known by future generations).

Getting Involved

On the third Saturday of each month from March through October, volunteers help with the work of maintaining the 10-acre National AIDS Memorial. With only one designated full-time gardener, upkeep of the Memorial would be impossible without volunteers.